Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his greetings to the people of Mauritius on their National Day, expressing his enthusiasm for being part of the celebrations.
Reflecting on his visit so far, PM Modi highlighted the warm welcome he received upon arrival and his productive meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
On Tuesday, the two leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new avenues to elevate their “special bond to even greater heights.” During the meeting, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment as a “valued and trusted development partner” for Mauritius, emphasizing their shared goal of promoting the interests of the Global South.
Later in the day, PM Modi attended a banquet dinner hosted by PM Ramgoolam, where he spoke about the deep and enduring ties between the two nations. He reiterated that their partnership transcends borders and is committed to working for the well-being of their people, as well as ensuring peace and security in the region.
Recalling his last visit to Mauritius, PM Modi mentioned the introduction of the SAGAR vision, underscoring the country’s significance as India’s “close maritime neighbor” and an “important partner” in the Indian Ocean region.
In a historic moment, Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced that PM Modi would be conferred with the country’s highest honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. This recognition marks PM Modi as the first Indian to receive the award and adds to the list of 21 international honors he has received from various nations.
PM Modi also met Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool at the State House, where, in a special gesture, he handed over OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards to the President and First Lady Brinda Gokhool.
According to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both leaders discussed further deepening the special bilateral relationship, acknowledging the shared history and the strong people-to-people ties between India and Mauritius.
(ANI)
